In 2003 there were over 1.35 million more international visitors to Australia than Australians travelling abroad (tables 21.4 and 21.11). Consequently, the net contribution of the travel item to Australia's balance on current account was positive in 2002-03 (table 30.26,Chapter 30 International accounts and trade, the difference between travel services exports and imports).

21.11 AUSTRALIANS TRAVELLING ABROAD, Number of departures

Departures

Change(a)

'000

%

1993

2,267.1

-0.4

1994

2,354.3

3.8

1995

2,518.6

7.0

1996

2,732.0

8.5

1997

2,932.8

7.3

1998

3,161.1

7.8

1999

3,210.0

1.5

2000

3,498.2

9.0

2001

3,442.6

-1.6

2002

3,461.0

0.5

2003

3,388.0

-2.1

(a) From previous year.

Source: Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia (3401.0).

Australians visit a wide variety of destinations abroad. During 2003 the most popular destination was New Zealand, accounting for 20% of Australians travelling abroad. The next most popular destinations were the United Kingdom and the United States of America, accounting for approximately 9% each (table 21.12).

'Holiday' (which includes visiting friends and relatives) was the main purpose of trip for over two-thirds (69%) of Australians travelling to all destinations in 2003.

Australians travelling for 'business' reasons accounted for 20% of outbound travellers. Their main destinations were New Zealand and the United States of America.

21.12 AUSTRALIANS TRAVELLING ABROAD, By country/region of main destination and main purpose of trip - 2003

Main purpose of trip

Business(a)

Holiday(b)

Employment

Education

Other and not stated

Total

Change from 2002

Country/region of main destination

’000

’000

’000

’000

’000

’000

%

Fiji

12.6

123.4

1.3

0.5

7.4

145.2

13.2

New Zealand

143.3

465.8

6.5

4.7

42.5

662.8

11.0

Other Oceania

25.0

101.2

13.1

2.4

9.9

151.6

8.0

Italy

9.2

53.9

0.5

2.1

5.2

70.9

-5.5

United Kingdom

40.4

235.3

13.3

4.3

19.7

312.9

-1.7

Other Europe

53.0

227.4

4.3

6.2

23.5

314.4

-2.2

Indonesia

23.7

147.5

3.5

1.0

10.7

186.4

-22.9

Malaysia

27.4

63.4

3.6

1.1

5.5

100.9

-7.9

Philippines

7.6

45.7

0.3

0.2

5.6

59.6

-1.3

Singapore

46.2

61.0

6.6

1.6

8.8

124.3

-16.7

Thailand

21.8

95.9

1.9

1.0

7.6

128.2

-24.1

China (excl. SARs & Taiwan Prov.)

40.5

60.8

2.8

2.1

7.9

114.2

-16.6

Hong Kong (SAR of China)

33.6

67.8

5.8

1.1

6.7

115.0

-18.2

Other Asia

69.8

222.4

15.4

7.4

24.1

339.1

4.7

United States of America

97.7

166.6

8.6

6.1

17.3

296.3

-1.0

Other America

14.7

82.4

2.1

2.0

7.5

108.7

6.3

Middle East and North Africa

9.8

62.0

6.4

0.9

8.6

87.8

5.2

Other Africa

15.2

43.5

3.2

0.9

5.0

67.9

9.2

Not stated

0.4

1.2

0.3

0.0

0.0

1.9

-17.7

Total

692.1

2,327.1

99.6

45.8

223.4

3,388.0

-2.1

(a) Includes those attending a convention or conference.(b) Includes those whose main purpose is visiting friends and relatives.

In 2003, 12% of Australians travelling abroad stayed less than a week (predominantly business travellers), while almost a third (32%) stayed away for at least a month. Of the people staying away for more than a month nearly three-quarters (73%) were on 'holiday' (table 21.13).

21.13 AUSTRALIANS TRAVELLING ABROAD, By intended length of stay and main purpose of trip-2003

Main purpose of trip

Business(a)

Holiday(b)

Employment

Education

Other and not stated

Total

Proportion of total

Intended length of stay

’000

’000

’000

’000

’000

’000

%

Under 1 week

233.4

156.6

3.9

2.8

17.7

414.4

12.2

1 week and under 2 weeks

207.7

626.3

8.8

8.3

79.9

930.9

27.5

2 weeks and under 1 month

140.9

745.5

10.3

10.6

45.5

952.9

28.1

1 month and under 2 months

47.5

460.9

12.0

4.6

30.1

555.1

16.4

2 months and under 3 months

21.2

143.6

8.7

2.5

12.2

188.0

5.6

3 months and under 6 months

20.6

115.3

17.0

5.5

14.6

173.1

5.1

6 months and under 12 months

20.9

78.9

38.9

11.5

23.3

173.6

5.1

Total

692.1

2,327.1

99.6

45.8

223.4

3,388.0

100.0

(a) Includes those attending a convention or conference.(b) Includes those whose main purpose is visiting friends and relatives.

The highest proportion (12%) of Australian resident departures in 2003 was in December (table 21.14). December 2003 was also the month in which most inbound visitors arrived (table 21.7). February 2003 recorded the lowest number of Australian resident departures (6%) for abroad.

21.14 AUSTRALIANS TRAVELLING ABROAD, By month of departure and main purpose of trip-2003

Main purpose of trip

Business(a)

Holiday(b)

Employment

Education

Other and not stated

Total

Proportion of total

’000

’000

’000

’000

’000

’000

%

January

47.1

161.9

12.2

5.0

22.9

249.1

7.4

February

55.5

133.1

8.5

1.8

17.5

216.4

6.4

March

60.5

154.4

7.8

2.4

20.4

245.5

7.2

April

41.8

160.9

7.6

3.8

18.0

232.1

6.9

May

54.9

153.4

8.2

2.3

17.4

236.3

7.0

June

60.5

187.7

8.0

3.3

16.1

275.6

8.1

July

59.5

209.6

7.9

3.8

15.7

296.5

8.8

August

62.7

201.4

9.1

5.9

17.9

296.9

8.8

September

69.4

250.2

7.5

7.8

19.5

354.3

10.5

October

72.7

177.8

8.3

3.0

16.0

277.9

8.2

November

72.9

186.0

7.6

3.3

17.4

287.2

8.5

December

34.6

350.7

7.0

3.3

24.6

420.2

12.4

Total

692.1

2,327.1

99.6

45.8

223.4

3,388.0

100.0

(a) Includes those attending a convention or conference.(b) Includes those whose main purpose is visiting friends and relatives.